Thursday 26th February students at Capel Manor College took part in a local heat of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition 2010. Heats for the national competition organised by the Institute of Horticulture took place across the country during January and February, in each of the Institute’s eight branch areas. Winners will go forward to Regional Finals taking place this month.
The heat was the first to take place at Capel Manor in Bullsmoor Lane for some time. Three of Capel’s students took part in the competition and were required to answer multiple choice questions on a wide range of horticultural topics. 29 year old Mike Lall from Old Street won first place and 20 year old Dominic Phillips from Freezywater took second. There was only one point between the two. Mike said, “The competition was challenging with some very difficult questions that really tested my horticultural knowledge. I’d definitely encourage others to take part next year as I learnt a great deal.”
Dominic Phillips (left) with Mike Lall
Dominic said, “For me the hardest thing was correctly identifying the plants and plant names having not constantly used them very much since completing my National Diploma in Horticulture nearly two years ago. I‘m really pleased to have had the opportunity to take part and refresh my knowledge.”
Mike is studying for a National Diploma in Horticulture at the College and Dominic for a National Diploma in Arboriculture. Third place went to 19 year old Jamie Stansfield, an Access to Horticulture student. The three winners each received prize money from the Institute of Horticulture, and a book kindly donated by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire DCVO, former patron of Capel Manor.
Mike Lall will now go on to represent Capel Manor at the Regional Final taking place on 11 March at the Garden Museum, London where he will compete against seven other heat winners. Success at this level could mean Mike Lall going through to represent Capel Manor at the Grand Final taking place on in May, at Kew Gardens. He said, “It is great to have won the local heat and to be able to go on and represent the College in the Regional Finals. I’m not sure how well I’ll do but I will certainly give it my best shot!”
Head of School for Horticulture at Capel Manor, April Cameron said, “The Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their passion for horticulture. We wish Mike all the best for the Regional Final.”
The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is open to young horticulturists below the age of 30 who are studying or working in the horticultural industry. This year the competition promises to be bigger and better than ever with over 1500 students and young people working in the industry from across Britain and Ireland taking part. Entry is free and the winner of the Grand Final will get a Percy Thrower travel bursary of £2,000. Institute of Horticulture President Heather Barrett-Mold, said, “We know we have a great many very high calibre people coming to work in horticulture; through our Young Horticulturist of the Year competition we can recognise the most talented and reward them for their efforts.”
